The Republican | Diane LedermanAlex Krogh-Grabbe, executive director of the Amherst Buisiness Improvement District, stands on the corner of Amity and North Pleasant streets, the site of the first ever downtown block party Sept. 13.

AMHERST - Downtown business leaders have talked about hosting a downtown block party for several years but there was no one able to take the helm or pay for it.

Now with the creation of the Amherst Business Improvement District last fall and a director in place, the first of what leaders hope will be an annual event will be held downtown on North Pleasant Street Sept. 13 from 6 to 10 p.m.

“With the resources of them budget, we are able to put this together,” said Alex Krogh-Grabbe, who became the BID executive director in May. “This is the big kick-off event for the BID,” he said.

North Pleasant Street from Main and Amity streets will be closed to motor vehicles to Triangle Street. Music will be staged at Kendrick Park and the Peter Pan Futurliner, a bus that opens up to a stage, will be set up near the High Horse Pub at the end near Amity Street, he said.

WRSI – the River - is handling the entertainment, he said, which will feature live bands and DJs. Bunk, Rusty Belle and Luxe Deluxe are slated to play.

Restaurants outside of the downtown will be setting up tables on North Pleasant Street, he said. “It’s a lot like the Taste (of Amherst.) It will feel a little like the Taste…but a bigger stretch.” The annual Taste of Amherst is held on the Town Common in June every year.

Street performers such as jugglers will entertain and a bounce house will be set up for children. Mercy House, a church on North Pleasant, will create a photo booth with props people can use in photos. Left Click, a computer store, will set up a video game screen on the side of its building so people will be able to play games.

“It’s really fun for everyone,” he said. He sees families perhaps coming out earlier in the evening and college students out later. For everyone, he said the party is the “opportunity to have fun downtown in a fun, positive way.”

The party in early September is also a way to celebrate the start of the new academic year.

“We’re tremendously excited to be working with the BID to celebrate Amherst,” said Town Manager John P. Musante. He said the party is an invitation “to the entire community to come out and enjoy the shops, music and food. It’s a nice community gathering; we hope it becomes a tradition.”